In view of arrests of people associated with Sanatan Prabhat in connectionwith veteran secularist and Leftist leader Comrade Govind Pansare's murder,Sonnar has filed a formal police complaint and has asked the police forprotection for him and his family from the right wing organisation.

Sanatan Prabhat wrote an article targeting Sonnar for his interpretation ofSant Tukaram's pro-science preaching. Sonnar is a vaarkari preacher who isinvited by people across Maharashtra for kirtans and public speeches. Hisrationalist views are very much appreciated and well accepted. Thenewspaper's article which appeared on Sept 1, 2015, spat venom against thesenior journalist and called him anti-Hindu.

Nikhil Wagle, a senior journalist, is also under threat. He is gettingthreat from Sanatan Sanstha since 2011. Maharashtra police has also foundthat Nikhil's name was mentioned regularly in the telephonic conversationbetween arrested Samir Gaikwad and some other members of Sanatan Sansthaincluding absconder Rudra Patil. Mumbai police officials recently metNikhil and requested him for the police protection. Nikhil has refusedsecurity as it will hamper his journalistic activities.

The Mumbai Press Club fully stands behind Sonnar and Wagle and his familymembers and calls upon the Mumbai Police and the MaharashtraGovernment totake serious note of it.